My 8 yr old woke up around 3:30am screaming, she had a stiff neck.I am guessing she slept on it the wrong way. I know its happen to me at times. Well she kept carrying on how much it hurt. You have to remember my older kids like to use a lot of dramtics when they are hurt. So honestly sometimes we just dont know how hurt they are. I gave her some Tylenol. I do realize Motrin is better for muscle problems, but we did not have any childrens motrin. My husband massaged her neck. She finally went to sleep at 4:30. I woke her up at 7am for school, she said she felt ok. She was left to get dressed for school. 20 minutes later she comes into my room crying saying her neck still hurt and she couldnt get dressed.She said she wanted to stay home. She loves school, rarely if ever, she tells me she wants to stay home. I give her more Tylenol, and fill a hot water bottle for her. Well I didnt use Hot water, but warm. She refused to use it saying its too heavy. I kept emptying some water out, still she complained. I just got us back from Walgreens where I picked up some Childrens Motrin. I gave it to her in the car. I have suggested a soak in the bathtub or a hot shower, she refuses and cries that it hurts too much.Now she is laying propt up on pillows on the sofa watching tv. She said the motrin is making it feel a "little" better.
I do not know if she needs to see the dr or not? UGH...why isnt it ever easy?
I even suggested her soaking in our hottub...I was going to lower the temp on it.
Is there any other things to try?

Just two weeks ago I posted about her sprained finger, that turned out to be broken..Who knew..the dr said the treatment was the same, the splint for 4 weeks. He called it a Displaced fracture.
Shes always been the wild child, but this is too much LOL

By Vicki on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:26 am:

I always think when in doubt, call the doctor! Explain to them what is going on and they should give you an idea if they think they need to see her.

By Kate on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:27 am:

I would call the doctor right now. Couldn't that be meningitis?? I wouldn't mess around with neck pain like that.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:37 am:

I'd call the doc:

"Meningitis Symptoms & Warning Signs
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD, May 2007.

It's not easy to spot the symptoms of meningitis. People often confuse the early signs and symptoms of meningitis with the flu. In fact, meningitis may come on the heels of a flu-like illness or infection. That's why it's important to stay alert, learn the hallmark signs and symptoms of meningitis, and act quickly. It may help save a life.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis symptoms may develop within hours. Viral meningitis symptoms may also develop quickly or over several days.

Here are more common signs and symptoms of both types. Not all symptoms may appear or appear in the same order. Fever, headache, and neck stiffness are the hallmark symptoms of meningitis.

Sudden high fever
Severe, persistent headache
Neck stiffness and pain that makes it difficult to touch your chin to your chest
Nausea and vomiting, sometimes along with diarrhea
Confusion and disorientation (acting "goofy")
Drowsiness or sluggishness
Eye pain or sensitivity to bright light
Muscle or joint pain or weakness
Other Potential Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis

These are other possible signs and symptoms of meningitis:

Abnormal skin color
Stomach cramps
Ice-cold hands and feet
Dizziness
Reddish or brownish skin rash or purple spots
Numbness and tingling
Seizures
If a red rash appears along with fever, check to see if the rash disappears when a glass is pressed against it. If it does not, this could be a sign of blood infection -- a medical emergency. Call 911 without delay. Other symptoms that might require emergency treatment include loss of consciousness, seizures, muscle weakness, or sudden severe dementia.

When to Seek Medical Care for Possible Symptoms of Meningitis

If your child or a friend of your child experiences two or more of these symptoms of meningitis at the same time or if the symptoms are very severe or appear suddenly -- they should seek medical care right away.

Call the doctor and describe the signs and symptoms.
Go immediately to the nearest emergency room if a doctor is not reachable right away. The person who is sick should not drive. Call 911 if transportation is not available. Do this especially if the skin rash appears."

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:47 am:

DITTO,DITTO,DITTO!!!

By Tsa on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:00 am:

Is her head position normal? (Is her head tilted to one side with her chin slightly raised)? Is her range of motion normal? Can she touch her chin to her chest?

By Debbie on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:03 am:

I would call the doctor, especially if the pain woke her up in the middle of the night. I have had a stiff neck from sleeping wrong, but it has never woken me up before. I always say better safe then sorry.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:41 am:

I would call the doctor. Meningitis is always a worry, with a stiff neck!

By Cat on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 03:07 pm:

Ditto everyone else. A friend of mine just spent last weekend in the hospital with viral meningitis. Her biggest symptom was a severe headache. Hugs to you both and I hope it's nothing serious and she's feeling better soon.

By Vicki on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 03:13 pm:

How is she doing? Did you end up calling the doctor or taking her in?

By Jackie on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 03:59 pm:

I did not take her in. I got her some Children's Motrin and it seemed to do the trick. She has no other symptoms. She has been eating fine, no fever, no rashes.Less then an hour after the Motrin, she started moving her neck. I did the move your neck side to side, and up and down. In two hours she could do all this without complaining. She has no cried at all , all day.I honestly feel she had a stiff neck and it freaked her out. I know it freaks me out when I wake up that way at times. Being in adult, I dont cry about it. But.. if its never happen to her, I could see how scarey it could be.